POLITICIANS from all parties have united in the battle to save four Hyndburn post offices.

Labour MP Greg Pope and the Tory-controlled council have both pledged to battle to prevent the threatened closures of the post offices in Great Harwood, Huncoat, Church and Belthorn.

Mr Pope said: "These post offices are much-needed hubs for their communities and many pepople rely on them for important services. They are particularly important for older people who may struggle to access the next-nearest post office.

"This is especially the case in Belthorn where the next-nearest post office is many miles away. Just because some of these communities are small does not mean that their needs can be overlooked.

"This campaign is not about party political point-scoring and it’s important we speak with one voice."

Hyndburn Council has already agreed to launch a petition, which will be available to sign in all council offices and other public places.

It has set up a special group of councillors to look at the problem and pledged to work closely with Rossendale Council which is fighting the closure of the Longshoot post office in Haslingden.

A resolution to condemn the closures was passed at a meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday and a further meeting of the Hyndburn Against Post Office Closures Group will be held at the council offices on Tuesday when comments and views from residents would be welcomed.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I am delighted that members of the council are willing to fight post office closures, although it appears a foregone conclusion."

Councillor Lyn Wilson said: "I am delighted that the council is going to take up this fight. It would have been easy to roll over but post offices are a vital part of the community and it is important that we try to save them."

And Councillor Marlene Hawo-rth said: "I would be so sad to see the post office at Belthorn go.

"It has been part of the village community and village life for so many years and it is an integral part of the community."

The five post offices are among 58 in Lancashire and 2,500 nationwide which Post Office Ltd wants to close to ease crippling losses of £4M a week.